Shady

“No.” Derik shook his head. “We’ve been in the barracks most of the afternoon, but Lord Ash—“ he inclined his head towards Gaius. “Is going to give us quarters in ...

Derik nodded thoughtfully. “I don’t pretend to know the best path forward. Zander should be here before any decisions are made one way or another. But… well… I figured it ...

That seemed dramatic. “…Zander will be back in two weeks. From what I understand they’re fairly close? That should help.”

Derik grimaced and nodded as well. “We… had planned on telling her once she was an adult. In a more controlled environment. But… well… it seems fate has brought us ...

“Ky… has been adopted twice now,” Derik answered carefully. “She’s not aware of the first. It was immensely dangerous for her to remain with her r-birth parents. And… it remains ...

"Ky... is not aware I exist," Derik said carefully. "I wasn't aware she was here. It... is a very complicated, delicate... uncomfortable... situation."

Derik forced a polite smile, but it was very clearly forced and almost looked like a grimace. "...I am... yes."

Derik glanced between them, then decided it wasn't any of his business if it wasn't about this. "Well..." Derik let out a sigh. This was so awkward. "You may have ...

Derik took a deep breath, then gestured at the chairs, silently suggesting he sit down. He was going to need it. "Ky, as it were."

"Glad to hear it." Derik gave a polite smile, but it was slightly forced. "Kylia?"

"Derik," Derik offered with a smile and head nod, glad to be past the labels already. "Nice to meet you as well. How are you doing?"

Derik looked between them with a nod and strode inside. The younger one was squirrelly. He supposed that wasn't particularly surprising, given what he'd heard about him. He offered a ...

Derik arrived soon thereafter, accompanied by two guards this time. Apparently, he was a threat now. He supposed he couldn't blame Ash too much. Still. He'd had a chance to ...

(Oh deer) (And cool! I’ll let you lead since he’s kind of at the mercy of Gaius now lol)

(I’m good to skip! Or you could have someone come by but she’s absolutely not leaving haha we could switch to Tomhas/Derik/Gaius?)